Representing the 17th District of New York

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Lowey Calls on Army Corps of Engineers to Extend Public Comment Period on Storm Surge Barrier Plans for NY Harbor

August 1, 2018

Press Release

Lowey: “We must not rush into construction and permanent change to the nature of the river until we have public approval to proceed.”

WHITE PLAINS, NY – Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY17/Rockland-Westchester), Ranking Member on the House Appropriations Committee, has called on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to extend the public comment period on proposals to construct storm surge barriers in New York Harbor from 30 to 90 days, and to hold additional public meetings throughout the entire Hudson Valley.

“It is clear to me that a project of this significance must be fully understood by all who would be affected. The opportunity for study and comment has been unnecessarily brief. While I understand that recent storms have prompted a call for urgent action, we must not rush into construction and permanent change to the nature of the river until we have public approval to proceed,” Lowey wrote in a letter to Lt. Gen. Todd T. Semonite, Chief of Engineers and Commanding General of USACE, and Bryce W. Wisemiller, Project Manager at USACE - New York District.

Lowey continued: “My constituents, and the millions more who live and work along these waters, have only in recent weeks learned about the proposals. Questions include potential dangers in each proposal, and the extent to which long-term environmental studies by well-regarded environmental groups have been taken into account. We must assure that the Corps and municipalities work together to stem the hazards of climate change and to manage public resources.”